MAAP president sees PH-Indon sea route to hasten commerce in South

Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) president VAdm Eduardo Ma. R. Santos AFP (ret.) expressed optimism the newly opened Philippines-Indonesia sea route will augur commercial development in the South.

At the launching rites at the Port of Davao City, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo led the opening of Davao-Gen. Santos-Bitung sea route on Sunday, April 30, 2017, culmination of the 30th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit chaired by President Duterte, and 50th ASEAN anniversary observance and celebration hosted by the Philippine government that started on April 26.

“The PH-Indonesia line is part of the East Asia Growth Area (EAGA) Plan from the 90’s yet. That completes the PH-Malaysia-Indonesia trade triangle to trigger economic development through trade there, from barter, to a higher level of commercial activity,” said Santos, former flag-officer-incommand of the Philippine Navy and AFP vice chief of staff, turned leading maritime educator in the country and in the region.

“This triangle will provide jobs, income, and cheaper goods, thus raising the quality of life in the area,” stressed Santos. Acquainted with Mindanao seas and ports, and maritime life in the area, Santos finds it necessary that ‘immigration, customs, health and security measures should be strengthened and must be effective to avoid abuse by unscrupulous persons.”

The MV Super Shuttle Roro 12 of Asian Marine Transport Corp. (AMTC) owned by businessman Paul Rodriguez serviced the maiden voyage, that now takes two days to travel the sea route -from Davao, to GenSan to Bitung in North Sulawesi in Indonesia. Before this new route was opened, the travel time was three to five weeks. The current route is also less circuitous and less expensive. Before, cargoes had to be transported first from Davao to Manila, or GenSan to Manila, then shipped to Jakarta. The RO-RO vessel can hold up to 100 twenty-footer vans, it was reported.

Also present during the send-off for the maiden voyage at KTC Port in Sasa, Davao City, were officials and members of Mindanao Business Council headed Vicente Lao, chairman; Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Ronald Go, president, and Antonio de la Cruz, chairman; Paul Rodriguez and Kim Pacho of AMTC; DTI asst. secretary Arturo Boncato, and Mindanao Development Authority director Romeo Montenegro, Kim Pancho of AMTC, and other leaders in maritime business and general industry.